DENVER – The Roadrunners dropped the first two games of the four-game series against Colorado Mesa at the Assembly Athletic Complex on Saturday.
 
The losses dropped MSU Denver to 9-5 overall and 3-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Mavericks improved to 6-6 overall and 4-2 in the RMAC.
 
Game One:
 
The Roadrunners jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the first inning when Miki Berg reached first on an error, which allowed both Jaiden Geist and Katie Maney to score. 
 
The Mavericks answered back in the third when Ally Distler tripled in a run, then Chloe Valdez doubled in Distler and Valdez then scored on an error by Berg to put the Mavericks up 4-2. 
 
Two Colorado Mesa home runs in the seventh inning put the finishing touches on the 9-3 CMU win.
 
Natalie Romero had arguably her worst start of the season giving up four earned runs in 5.1 innings. She gave up a season-high eight hits and walked a season-high four batters. She picked up just her second loss on the season. 
 
Game Two:
 
Mavericks pitcher Sophia Tassinari earned her second win on the season scattering seven hits and giving up three runs in the 8-3 Mesa win. 
 
Roadrunners pitching give up eight runs on 14 hits in the loss. Cheyenne Prieto earned the loss giving up four earned runs on seven hits while striking out four. 
 
Eight different Mavericks had base hits, including three hits from Myah Arrieta, who connected on a solo home run in the third inning. Distler also hit a home run in that third inning. 
 
MSU Denver looked to rally in the seventh after Trish Leins and Brooklyn Enny came through with RBI singles with no outs on the scoreboard. But CMU pitcher Preslee Christensen came in relief to get the next three outs. 
 
The Roadrunners will look to get back on track tomorrow morning, as first pitch will take place around 11 a.m. mountain time.